Page 18 of Summer of the Boy

Whoa. Long way away from the guy I first met while he was having a meltdown.

“Fair enough. I’ll leave you to it.” I give him a playful shove, careful not to spill his drink. “But you need me, you call me.”

At that moment his phone rings.

Not only do I see her name across the caller I.D. but can hear her loud, yet contradictory cooing voice asking him how his day is going. Then, “What time are you off, Rid? I thought we’d have dinner together.” Her voice comes that loud through the receiver.

“Leif is here. We’re grabbing food when I’m done.”

“Sweetheart, it’s nice you’ve found a friend but don’t you think you’re spending a little too much time together?”

A friend? I shake my head.

I know we’ve played it up, this best friend angle, but shit. You’d think she’d figure it out by now.

“I was talking with Amy Rigby this afternoon,” she continues on, completely oblivious to Ridley’s growing mood.

“T-that’s nice mom.”

“I…uh…well John says maybe I should lift your dating restrictions. So I invited her over for pizza.”

“Mom.” He begins opening and closing the one hand not holding the phone into a fist at his side.

Open.

Close.

Open.

Close.

Rid’s getting agitated.

“Her mom will be here, too. Amy’s moving into an independent living house. Isn’t that nice?”

Open.

Close.

Open.

Close.

“Rid. Hang up the phone,” I order him because I don’t want him to end up as fodder for the gawkers again.

A head nod.

“Mom. I have to go.” And he clicks off without waiting for her to stall him or sign off.

Open.

“She wants me to have dinner with Amy Rigby.”

Close.

“I know. You’re mom’s a loud talker.”

Once again he communicates with a smirk.

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